Washington, DC — Concerns about Kenya's stability were discussed during a meeting between US President George Bush and Tanzania's Head of State Jakaya Kikwete.

A senior adviser to the American leader said "political instability" in Kenya was among the topics discussed in the Monday meeting between the two leaders.

Meeting in New York ahead of the opening of the UN General Assembly, the two "expressed concerns to make sure that democracy is moving forward" in Kenya, said Dr Cindy Courville, director for African Affairs.

It was not clear why Mr Bush resorted to discussing Kenyan issues with the president of a neighbouring country when Kenya had sent a delegation to the same meeting.

Officials of the US embassy in Nairobi declined to comment on the issue, after the Nation brought it to their attention.

Cordial relations

Tanzania enjoys cordial relations with Kenya and the countries, including Uganda, are partners in the East African Community (EAC).

Dr Courville briefed reporters on the bilateral talks between Mr Bush and Mr Kikwete, which, she said, also covered the political situation in DR Congo and progress toward a final peace agreement in Burundi.

Assistant Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang'ula termed the revelations "strange" and promised to issue a statement after calling Foreign minister Raphael Tuju, who is leading the Kenyan delegation to the US meeting.

But he noted that it would be out of tune for the two presidents to discuss issues concerning Kenya in its absence.

Mr Wetang'ula said it would be unwise for Mr Bush to criticise Kenya soon after new ambassador to US Rateng' Oginga Ogego presented his papers to him at which function the American leader praised the country's political stability.

But senior Foreign Affairs officials in Kenya dismissed the story, saying reacting to it was not important.

"You know so well there is no political instability in Kenya. Even if there was, it cannot be discussed between Mr Kikwete and Mr Bush at a meeting where we are represented," said an official.

Mr Tuju is scheduled to address the UN on September 27.

The official asked: "Was Kenya represented at the discussion? Why didn't they see it fit to call our delegation to pass the message?"

The official said President Kikwete was only qualified to speak about EAC issues.

Dr Courville did not explain why Mr Bush spoke about Kenya's domestic issues with Mr Kikwete and neither did she specify the concerns raised regarding democracy and instability.

The US President has been holding a series of meetings with his counterparts from other countries who have travelled to New York for the General Assembly, which opened yesterday and will continue for a week.

The Bush-Kikwete talks focused on Tanzania's eligibility for an expanded US development aid programme through the Millennium Challenge Account, Dr Courville said. Agreement could be reached soon on the amount of assistance Tanzania is to receive, she added.

Kenya has not yet qualified for the programme due to its failure to meet anti-corruption criteria for eligibility.